Sunday, 2 October 2016

Penylan Pantry, Cardiff cafe review

Standing proud with its striped awnings, the Penylan Pantry is a vibrant haven in one of Cardiff’s leafiest suburbs.

Since opening in 2013, the Pantry has become somewhat of a Penylan institution, known for their extensive range of British cheeses, chilled out brunches, regular evening events (from Mad Hatter’s tea parties to guest chef nights from luminaries such as James Sommerin) and their cycle delivery organic vegetable box scheme.

We visited on a busy Saturday around midday i.e. the brunch / lunch hinterland.

A flat white (£2.50) and a latte (£2.20) provided a welcome caffeine boost to kick start an already very lazy day.

Mrs G ordered a slice of a golden crusted vegetable tart (£6.95). Served warm, it was joined by a kaleidoscopic selection of lovely salads including roast beetroot, kale & cauliflower, paprika roast peppers, al dente green beans with toasted almonds and couscous flecked with cherry tomatoes and olives.

Our friend was in the mood for brunch so opted for toast laden with excellent chunky smashed avocado seasoned with lemon, chilli and pink peppercorns and a side bowl of uber-moreish smoky grilled chorizo (£7.75).

Never one to turn down a plank of cheese, I ordered the British cheeseboard (£8.50). A whopping selection of stonkingly good cheeses was served with sweet and punchy balsamic pickled onions, chunky homemade piccalilli and thick seeded crackers. Working from left to right were a super-creamy brie-like Wigmore, a distinctively savoury and tangy Hereford Hop coated in toasted hops, seriously nutty Cornish Kern and a potent and salty Shropshire Blue.

Mrs G rounded off the meal with a slice of warming chai-spiced carrot cake (£3.20) topped with pretty green matcha tea icing. I thought it was a touch dry but Mrs G thought it was bang on. I'm not one to argue.

I had a slice of deliciously moist greengage and almond upside down cake (£3.25).

Replete after my month’s worth of cheese and a huge slice of cake, we walked off a nominal amount of calories with a stroll through Roath Mill Gardens and then up to Roath Lake. The Penylan Pantry is a lovely place to relax and enjoy some good food. Now excuse me whilst I go for nap.

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About Gourmet Gorro

My name is Ed Gilbert. I'm an indiscriminate glutton who enjoys a late night doner as much as a bit of posh. I like to think I can occasionally share a valid opinion about food when my judgement hasn't been clouded by the meat red mist. I'm a Cardiff based Geordie who's spent time living in Newcastle, London, Chester and Cambridge. I mostly write reviews of restaurants in Cardiff, South Wales.

I use a Lumix LX5 camera. All photos are my own unless otherwise stated.